No description available.

The effects of petroleum mulches on plant response to herbicides were studied at the Farmington Field Station . The herbicides were applied to the soil preemergent and by incorporation at one-half, normal and double the recommended rates with asphalt overlay. The herbicides and crops used were : Atrazine and Ramrod on sweet corn, PEBC and Diphenamid on tomatoes and EPTC and Trifluralin on snap beans. Germination, overall crop rating, grass and broad leafed weed control and yields were measured. Data recorded from these trials showed that herbicides are as effective under the asphalt when compared to plots with herbicide but no asphalt. Considering all herbicides and conditions, overall crop growth and weed control were not increased or decreased by the asphalt mulch. Germination and yield were not affected by the interaction of herbicides with the asphalt overlay on the three crops.

The aim of our study was to determine whether Polyphenon G (PPG, a concentrated Camellia sinensis extract) and the individual compounds in PPG had activity against phytopathogenic fungi in vitro and in vivo. The present study reports on the sensitivity of twenty different phytopathogenic fungal species to extracts from black-, green- and rooibos tea extracts, concentrated green tea extract (Polyphenon G), caffeine, theanine, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), epicatechin gallate (ECg), epigallocatechin (EGC), and epicatechin (EC), and Polyphenon G combined with caffeine. The inhibition of fungal growth by the compounds was as follows (in decreasing order): caffeine > EGCg ECg > EGC EC > Polyphenon G > green tea extracts black tea extracts > rooibos tea extracts theanine. In some cases the Polyphenon G and caffeine combination reduced the IC50 values for both the compounds, indicating a synergistic effect. Phytophthora nicotianae and P. capsici were most sensitive to all the compounds, while Rhizopus stolonifer and Penicillium expansum were least sensitive. PPG and caffeine was subsequently tested individually and in combination in a greenhouse trial against seven pathogens on four crops. The combinations of Polyphenon G and caffeine gave the best overall results and effectively controlled Fusarium solani on cucumber, P. capsici and Sclerotium rolfsii on tomato, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Pythium F-group on lettuce. PPG individually significantly inhibited the growth of Sphaerotheca fuliginea of zucchini squash plants. In efforts to determine the mode of action of PPG, caffeine and the combination thereof, methods used in our study included determining total phenolic content by means of the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, thin layer chromatography (TLC) bioautography to identify possible anti-microbial compounds and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for identifying induced compounds based on standards included in the analysis. Results showed that ferulic, salicylic and caffeic acids increased in uninfected lettuce plants treated with a combination of PPG and caffeine. These results indicate that either the phenolic compounds in the treatments were accumulated in the roots or that the treatments induced de novo synthesis in the plants to increase the production of phenolic compounds or that the treatments caused induction of resistance in the plant. The results of the current study demonstrate the potential for tea (C. sinensis) extracts to be developed as effective crop protection agents against a range of plant diseases on a variety of crops. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted

A inovação tecnológica é o caminho mais viável para desenvolver uma agricultura sustentada no Brasil. Portanto, o país deve investir nos setores que possam produzir tecnologias inovadoras, adequadas as suas condições peculiares e de custo mais acessível, em substituição à dependência por produtos importados. Dentro desse contexto, este trabalho tem os objetivos de desenvolver anteparos de microaspersor com boa uniformidade de distribuição para trabalhar com sobreposição e adaptar a técnica desenvolvida por Almeida, Botrel e Smith (2008) para os microaspersores convencionais. O trabalho foi conduzido no Laboratório de Hidráulica e na área experimental do Departamento de Engenharia Rural da ESALQ/USP, onde foram desenvolvidos e avaliados os protótipos de microaspersores, e avaliado o desempenho da adaptação do microtubo aos microaspersores comerciais. Para o desenvolvimento dos protótipos de microaspersores foram testados diversos materiais e processos. Os materiais utilizados foram argila, gesso, biscuit, massa de modelar, pedra talco e os tarugos de PVC, technyl, teflon e polipropileno. Já os processos foram o torneamento mecânico, modelagem e a prototipagem rápida. O desempenho da adaptação dos microtubos aos microaspersores comerciais foi avaliado através de testes em laboratório e no campo. A relação comprimento de microtubo versus pressão de operação versus vazão foi determinada, em seguida, avaliou-se a uniformidade de distribuição de água na linha lateral. Utilizou-se os coeficientes de uniformidade de Christiansen, o da uniformidade de distribuição e o da uniformidade estatística na avaliação do desempenho dos emissores. O PVC e o tecnyl foram os materiais que apresentaram mais facilidade na construção das bailarinas, porém, o PVC foi o escolhido devido ao melhor acabamento. As melhores sobreposições ocorreram com o protótipo de 6 canaletas com 350 e duas canaletas diferenciadas. Os ajustes realizados nos protótipos iniciais que não funcionaram contribuíram significativamente para que o protótipo desenvolvido alcançasse resultados positivos. A geometria das bailarinas, ângulo e número de canaletas afetaram o desempenho do modelo, sendo que, os de maiores ângulos apresentaram uniformidade de distribuição de água mais satisfatórias. A utilização da técnica de microtubos se adapta a microaspersores convencionais, uniformizando a vazão ao longo da linha lateral. / The technology innovation is the way most feasible to develop a sustainable agriculture in Brazil. In this way, the country will have to invest in sectors which can produce innovation technologies, adequate to specific conditions and with cost more accessible, to replace the dependency from imported products. In this context, this work had to objective to develop microsprinkler spinner deflector with good distribution uniformity to work with overlap and adapt the microtubes techniques developed by Almeida, Botrel e Smith (2008) to commercial microsprinkler. Experiments in laboratory and field were carried out at Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, where were developed and evaluated the microsprinkler prototypes and evaluated discharge uniformity along of lateral line with commercial micro-sprinklers and microtubes as emitter. In the development of the microsprinkler prototypes were tested a lot of materials and processes. The materials utilized were clay, biscuit, plaster, modeling mass, talc stone, PVC, technyl, teflon and polypropylene. The processes were mechanic tournament, modeling and the rapid prototyping. The performance of micro-sprinkler irrigation system with microtube emitters was evaluated both laboratory and field tests. Microtube pressure-length-discharge relationship was determinate and discharge distribution uniformity along of lateral line was evaluated. Uniformity Coefficient from Christiansen (CUC), Distribution Uniformity (DU) and Uniformity Statistic (Us) were used as indicators for evaluation of performance of emitters. Among the tested materials, the PVC and the technyl showed more facility in the deflector build, however, the PVC was choose due the better finish small channels. The rapid prototyping process provided the better finish in the deflector. In the proposed overlap, the better overlap arrangement occurred with the prototype of 6 channels with 350 and two channels differentiated. The developed prototypes which not worked and the adjustments did in them, contributed significantly to reach positive results in prototypes. The deflector geometric, angle and number of channels affected directly the performance of microsprinklers, nevertheless, the biggest angle showed water distribution uniformity more satisfactory. The utilization of microtubes techniques adapted well in conventional microsprinklers, and provided good uniformity in the discharge in lateral line.

Os objetivos do trabalho foram determinar o efeito do raleio de frutos sobre o rendimento e seus componentes e caracterizar qualitativamente os frutos de híbridos de tomate dos segmentos Santa Cruz e Italiano de crescimento indeterminado, cultivados em ambiente protegido, visando ao consumo in natura. Utilizaram-se 12 cultivares de tomate de mesa, sendo seis híbridos experimentais e seis testemunhas comerciais. Usou-se delineamento em blocos completos ao acaso, com parcelas divididas, com 12 tratamentos e três repetições. As parcelas foram representadas pelas cultivares e as subparcelas pelo efeito de raleio, avaliando-se plantas com e sem raleio de frutos. Avaliaram-se a produção total (PT), comercial (PC) e de frutos nãocomercializáveis (PR), massa média do fruto (MM), número de frutos por planta (FP), número de frutos por inflorescência (FI), número de lóculos por fruto (LC), comprimento (CM), largura (LR) e relação entre comprimento e largura do fruto (CM/LR), tamanho da cicatriz peduncular (CP) e espessura da parede do fruto (EP). Para as análises qualitativas dos frutos, foram avaliados o teor de sólidos solúveis (SS), acidez titulável (AT), teor de ácido ascórbico (AA), pH, relação entre SS e AT (SS/AT) e teor de licopeno (LI). Nas condições em que o presente trabalho foi realizado e baseado nos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que o raleio dos frutos proporciona incremento da produção comercial, massa média, comprimento e largura do fruto para os híbridos THX-02 e THX-03, do segmento Santa Cruz, e THX-04, THX-05 e Netuno, do segmento Italiano e não mostrou vantagens para produção e seus componentes para os demais genótipos e características avaliadas. O raleio também não influencia a qualidade organoléptica dos genótipos avaliados, independentemente do segmento varietal. As diferenças entre elas se devem à constituição genotípica per se. Foi ainda concluído que Avalon apresenta maior teor de ácido ascórbico que Netuno e Sahel, e Débora Max, THX-01, THX-02 e THX-04, são semelhantes entre si quanto ao teor de licopeno, mas diferem de Giuliana, Sahel, THX-03, e THX-06. / The objectives of this work were to determine the effect of cluster thinning on yield and its components on tomato hybrids of the Santa Cruz and Italian types of indeterminate growth, and to perform the qualitative characterization of the fruits, aiming at in natura growth. Treatments consisted of 12 indeterminate fresh-market tomato cultivars (six experimental hybrids and six commercial cultivars). A randomized complete block design was used in this trial, with split-plots, and 12 treatments replicated three times. The hybrid cultivars were allocated in the plots and the fruit thinning effect (with and without manual fruit thinning) was observed in the subplots. Total (PT), marketable (PC) and not marketable fruits (PR) yields, average fruit weight (MM), number of fruits per plant (FP), and, number of fruits per inflorescence (FI), number of locules per fruit (LC), fruit length (CM), fruit width (LR), length/width (CM/LR), size of the stem scar (CP), fruit wall thickness (EP) were measured. For quantitative characterization, soluble solids concentration (SS), ascorbic acid content (AA), tritable acidity (AT), pH, SS and AT ratio (SS/AT) and lycopene (LI) contents were measured. Based on the results of the trial carried out can be concluded that: a) the fruit thinning has increased marketable yield, average weight, length and width for the Santa Cruz hybrids THX-02 and THX-03, and THX-04, THX-05 and Netuno classed as Italian type. Furthermore, this practice did not provide benefits for production and its components for the other genotypes and characteristics evaluated, despite of the varietal type, and does not affect the organoleptic quality of the genotype. It was also concluded that regarding ascorbic acid content Avalon outperforms Netuno and Sahel, and Débora Max, THX-01, THX-02 and THX-04 are similar to each other as the content of lycopene, but differ from Giuliana, Sahel, THX-03, and THX-06.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2008. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Os objetivos do trabalho foram determinar o efeito do raleio de frutos sobre o rendimento e seus componentes e caracterizar qualitativamente os frutos de híbridos de tomate dos segmentos Santa Cruz e Italiano de crescimento indeterminado, cultivados em ambiente protegido, visando ao consumo in natura. Utilizaram-se 12 cultivares de tomate de mesa, sendo seis híbridos experimentais e seis testemunhas comerciais. Usou-se delineamento em blocos completos ao acaso, com parcelas divididas, com 12 tratamentos e três repetições. As parcelas foram representadas pelas cultivares e as subparcelas pelo efeito de raleio, avaliando-se plantas com e sem raleio de frutos. Avaliaram-se a produção total (PT), comercial (PC) e de frutos nãocomercializáveis (PR), massa média do fruto (MM), número de frutos por planta (FP), número de frutos por inflorescência (FI), número de lóculos por fruto (LC), comprimento (CM), largura (LR) e relação entre comprimento e largura do fruto (CM/LR), tamanho da cicatriz peduncular (CP) e espessura da parede do fruto (EP). Para as análises qualitativas dos frutos, foram avaliados o teor de sólidos solúveis (SS), acidez titulável (AT), teor de ácido ascórbico (AA), pH, relação entre SS e AT (SS/AT) e teor de licopeno (LI). Nas condições em que o presente trabalho foi realizado e baseado nos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que o raleio dos frutos proporciona incremento da produção comercial, massa média, comprimento e largura do fruto para os híbridos THX-02 e THX-03, do segmento Santa Cruz, e THX-04, THX-05 e Netuno, do segmento Italiano e não mostrou vantagens para produção e seus componentes para os demais genótipos e características avaliadas. O raleio também não influencia a qualidade organoléptica dos genótipos avaliados, independentemente do segmento varietal. As diferenças entre elas se devem à constituição genotípica per se. Foi ainda concluído que Avalon apresenta maior teor de ácido ascórbico que Netuno e Sahel, e Débora Max, THX-01, THX-02 e THX-04, são semelhantes entre si quanto ao teor de licopeno, mas diferem de Giuliana, Sahel, THX-03, e THX-06. / The objectives of this work were to determine the effect of cluster thinning on yield and its components on tomato hybrids of the Santa Cruz and Italian types of indeterminate growth, and to perform the qualitative characterization of the fruits, aiming at in natura growth. Treatments consisted of 12 indeterminate fresh-market tomato cultivars (six experimental hybrids and six commercial cultivars). A randomized complete block design was used in this trial, with split-plots, and 12 treatments replicated three times. The hybrid cultivars were allocated in the plots and the fruit thinning effect (with and without manual fruit thinning) was observed in the subplots. Total (PT), marketable (PC) and not marketable fruits (PR) yields, average fruit weight (MM), number of fruits per plant (FP), and, number of fruits per inflorescence (FI), number of locules per fruit (LC), fruit length (CM), fruit width (LR), length/width (CM/LR), size of the stem scar (CP), fruit wall thickness (EP) were measured. For quantitative characterization, soluble solids concentration (SS), ascorbic acid content (AA), tritable acidity (AT), pH, SS and AT ratio (SS/AT) and lycopene (LI) contents were measured. Based on the results of the trial carried out can be concluded that: a) the fruit thinning has increased marketable yield, average weight, length and width for the Santa Cruz hybrids THX-02 and THX-03, and THX-04, THX-05 and Netuno classed as Italian type. Furthermore, this practice did not provide benefits for production and its components for the other genotypes and characteristics evaluated, despite of the varietal type, and does not affect the organoleptic quality of the genotype. It was also concluded that regarding ascorbic acid content Avalon outperforms Netuno and Sahel, and Débora Max, THX-01, THX-02 and THX-04 are similar to each other as the content of lycopene, but differ from Giuliana, Sahel, THX-03, and THX-06.

A inovação tecnológica é o caminho mais viável para desenvolver uma agricultura sustentada no Brasil. Portanto, o país deve investir nos setores que possam produzir tecnologias inovadoras, adequadas as suas condições peculiares e de custo mais acessível, em substituição à dependência por produtos importados. Dentro desse contexto, este trabalho tem os objetivos de desenvolver anteparos de microaspersor com boa uniformidade de distribuição para trabalhar com sobreposição e adaptar a técnica desenvolvida por Almeida, Botrel e Smith (2008) para os microaspersores convencionais. O trabalho foi conduzido no Laboratório de Hidráulica e na área experimental do Departamento de Engenharia Rural da ESALQ/USP, onde foram desenvolvidos e avaliados os protótipos de microaspersores, e avaliado o desempenho da adaptação do microtubo aos microaspersores comerciais. Para o desenvolvimento dos protótipos de microaspersores foram testados diversos materiais e processos. Os materiais utilizados foram argila, gesso, biscuit, massa de modelar, pedra talco e os tarugos de PVC, technyl, teflon e polipropileno. Já os processos foram o torneamento mecânico, modelagem e a prototipagem rápida. O desempenho da adaptação dos microtubos aos microaspersores comerciais foi avaliado através de testes em laboratório e no campo. A relação comprimento de microtubo versus pressão de operação versus vazão foi determinada, em seguida, avaliou-se a uniformidade de distribuição de água na linha lateral. Utilizou-se os coeficientes de uniformidade de Christiansen, o da uniformidade de distribuição e o da uniformidade estatística na avaliação do desempenho dos emissores. O PVC e o tecnyl foram os materiais que apresentaram mais facilidade na construção das bailarinas, porém, o PVC foi o escolhido devido ao melhor acabamento. As melhores sobreposições ocorreram com o protótipo de 6 canaletas com 350 e duas canaletas diferenciadas. Os ajustes realizados nos protótipos iniciais que não funcionaram contribuíram significativamente para que o protótipo desenvolvido alcançasse resultados positivos. A geometria das bailarinas, ângulo e número de canaletas afetaram o desempenho do modelo, sendo que, os de maiores ângulos apresentaram uniformidade de distribuição de água mais satisfatórias. A utilização da técnica de microtubos se adapta a microaspersores convencionais, uniformizando a vazão ao longo da linha lateral. / The technology innovation is the way most feasible to develop a sustainable agriculture in Brazil. In this way, the country will have to invest in sectors which can produce innovation technologies, adequate to specific conditions and with cost more accessible, to replace the dependency from imported products. In this context, this work had to objective to develop microsprinkler spinner deflector with good distribution uniformity to work with overlap and adapt the microtubes techniques developed by Almeida, Botrel e Smith (2008) to commercial microsprinkler. Experiments in laboratory and field were carried out at Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, where were developed and evaluated the microsprinkler prototypes and evaluated discharge uniformity along of lateral line with commercial micro-sprinklers and microtubes as emitter. In the development of the microsprinkler prototypes were tested a lot of materials and processes. The materials utilized were clay, biscuit, plaster, modeling mass, talc stone, PVC, technyl, teflon and polypropylene. The processes were mechanic tournament, modeling and the rapid prototyping. The performance of micro-sprinkler irrigation system with microtube emitters was evaluated both laboratory and field tests. Microtube pressure-length-discharge relationship was determinate and discharge distribution uniformity along of lateral line was evaluated. Uniformity Coefficient from Christiansen (CUC), Distribution Uniformity (DU) and Uniformity Statistic (Us) were used as indicators for evaluation of performance of emitters. Among the tested materials, the PVC and the technyl showed more facility in the deflector build, however, the PVC was choose due the better finish small channels. The rapid prototyping process provided the better finish in the deflector. In the proposed overlap, the better overlap arrangement occurred with the prototype of 6 channels with 350 and two channels differentiated. The developed prototypes which not worked and the adjustments did in them, contributed significantly to reach positive results in prototypes. The deflector geometric, angle and number of channels affected directly the performance of microsprinklers, nevertheless, the biggest angle showed water distribution uniformity more satisfactory. The utilization of microtubes techniques adapted well in conventional microsprinklers, and provided good uniformity in the discharge in lateral line.

Pea growers have much at stake in getting high yields of peas of prime quality. The income accruing from a pea crop grown for processors is determined by the yield as well as quality. Therefore the farmers' efforts are directed toward growing such a crop. Research workers are interested in knowing the yield of peas with known tenderometer values which will indicate the quality of peas. Present methods of field harvesting are costly and time consuming which tend to limit the number of varieties that can be satisfactorily evaluated for trial. A comparison of sampling techniques with present harvesting methods would determine whether or not a sampling technique could be used to obtain the yield and quality evaluation without harvesting the entire plot. Because of errors in vining peas, large plots are required to make evaluation of yields. If a sampling technique would be satis­factory, the field plots could be much reduced in size which would result in a saving in the cost of the trials. In addition, data were collected on the performance of five commerrcial varieties of peas in Utah. Thus the objectives of the investigation were as follows: 1.To determine how good an estimate can be obtained by taking a sample of the crop in comparison with the complete harvest. 2. To indicate what size of sample is practical and economically plausible. 3. To test the performance of five commercial pea varieties.

No description available.